Chapter Nine: Promise of Meeting
"Little friend, you were able to survive this long," a gruff voice echoed through the Forbidden Red Sky Tomb. It was the Red Lord, and his unseen presence felt even more imposing now that his name was known.
"Yes, it was hard, but I did it," I mentally replied, my newly solidified form buzzing with a strange mix of exhaustion and triumph. A whole year of silent, constant searching, dodging shadowy figures, had been a grueling test of my willpower.
"You finished your talk with that damn lizard and I have some spicy business with you," the Red Lord boomed, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Here is your reward for exceeding my expectations."
A series of bright notifications flashed in my mind, a welcome warmth amidst the tomb's chill.
"Ding! Extra reward for exceeding expectation!"
"[All stats increased by 40 points!]"
A surge of raw power coursed through my consciousness. It was a remarkable feeling, like invisible circuits lighting up, making my entire being feel more substantial, more real.
"I will know if you are done with the lizard, so don't call out my name," the Red Lord added, a hint of ancient amusement in his tone.
Then, the Primordial Dragon Spirit spoke, its voice still deep but now tinged with relief and gratitude. "Little being, here is your reward. And I will give another reward after your class acquisition."
"Ding! You have received rewards for your mission completion!"
"[Reward: Small World!]"
"[Reward: Primordial Black Dragon God Remains!]"
My form pulsed with anticipation. These were the ultimate prizes!
"Ding! You can now absorb the Primordial Black Dragon God Remains!"
"Ding! The Small World is bound to you!"
"Ding! The Small World is at growth stage, and it grows with you. The more powerful you become, the more perfect and large it becomes!"
"Little being," the Primordial Dragon Spirit continued, its spectral form radiating immense satisfaction, "this Small World will help in your journey and serve as your home in the future."
"Okay, thanks a lot," I replied, my mind reeling from the sudden influx of power and these incredible gifts. A home? A world that grows with me? It was almost too much to comprehend after being a fading consciousness.
I immediately accessed my updated status.
Status:
* Name: Aka Zema
* Race: Unknown
* Class: Unknown
* Age: 19
* Strength: 40
* Speed: 40
* Mind: 42
* Stamina: 41
* Luck: 42
* Mana: 40
* Ultimate Skills:
* Fusion: The ability to combine two or more things—like skills, materials, energies, abilities, or even living beings—into a single, stronger or more developed form.
* Absorption: The power to take in outside energies, abilities, qualities, or materials and make them your own. This often helps you get stronger or increases your energy supply.
* Adaptability: The ability to change, grow, or mutate when facing new dangers, places, or situations, either for a short time or forever.
* Passive Skill: Immune to the red air
I had certainly grown stronger here. My stats, once barely above zero, now felt like a foundation. But I knew this strength was still a mere fraction of what I once possessed in my previous world. This was just the beginning of my true growth.
"Are you going to absorb my Remains now?" The Primordial Dragon Spirit asked, its voice filled with anticipation.
"Yes," I replied without hesitation. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the key to my true strength.
"Then I will create a barrier for you to prevent you from explosion," the spirit stated, and a vast, shimmering dome of dark energy instantly formed around me, separating me from the rest of the Forbidden Red Sky Tomb. It pulsed with ancient power, a protective shell against the immense force I was about to unleash.
"System, when I am absorbing the Black Dragon, change me to human. Your best, with the best physique," I commanded, my resolve firm. If I was coming back, I was coming back strong.
"Okay," the system's voice was calm, almost reassuring. "Go ahead and absorb like how you did it previously, but with resolve. If not, you will not survive, even with the barrier."
A final confirmation appeared in my vision.
"Ding! Are you willing to absorb Primordial Black Dragon God remains? Y/N?"
"Yes," I affirmed, pouring every ounce of my will into the answer.
I reached out with my consciousness, focusing my Absorption skill on the colossal skeletal remains of the Primordial Black Dragon God. The moment I made contact, a sound like nothing I had ever experienced erupted in my mind. It was a deafening roar of raw energy, a cosmic symphony of power and creation. The air within the barrier thickened, crackling with unfathomable force. I felt as if my entire existence was being stretched, pulled, and reformed all at once. It was painful, overwhelming, yet exhilarating.
The skeletal dragon, miles long, began to glow with an intense, internal light. It wasn't just energy; it was the very essence of creation and destruction, pouring into me. I felt primal instincts awaken, ancient memories flash, and a sense of absolute power surge through my core. The sound intensified, a high-pitched whine that threatened to tear my mind apart, quickly followed by the deep, resonant thrum of power settling within my being. It was the sound of a universe being reborn, echoing through my nascent form.
Notifications flooded my mind, a rapid-fire succession of upgrades that made my new reality explode with possibility.
"Ding! Host's existence is increasing rapidly!"
"Ding! Host's Small World is increasing in size and complexity!"
"Ding! You have acquired [Primordial Dragon Bloodline]!"
"Ding! You have max affinity for all elemental and dark magic!"
"Ding! You have comprehended [Ancient Language] and [Dragon Tongue]!"
"Ding! All your stats have increased by 15,000 points!"
"Ding! Your Mana has increased by 900,000 points!"
"Ding! Host has acquired [Primordial Dragon Scales] (Passive Skill)! Grants immense physical defense and magic resistance."
"Ding! Host has acquired [Dragon's Roar] (Active Skill)! Unleashes a devastating sonic blast, capable of instilling fear and causing widespread destruction."
"Ding! Host has acquired [Chaos Breath] (Active Skill)! Unleashes a torrent of raw, unformed chaotic energy, capable of corrupting and destroying matter."
"Ding! Host has acquired [Ancient Mana Regeneration] (Passive Skill)! Dramatically increases natural mana recovery speed."
The pain was receding, replaced by a feeling of incredible power. My consciousness, once a tiny orb, was now expanding, reforming. I could feel the intricate dance of elements, the whisper of ancient tongues, the immense flow of mana within me. This was more than just strength; it was transformation.
The vast, shimmering barrier around me began to fade, dissipating into thin air. As it vanished, a new form slowly solidified within its space. No longer a tiny, dark orb of consciousness, but a human shape. My senses reeled, overwhelmed by the feeling of flesh, bone, and surging energy. I stretched out a hand, seeing five fingers, feeling the subtle tension of muscle beneath skin. I closed my eyes, then opened them to a clarity I hadn't known in what felt like forever. My body felt incredibly light, powerful, and ready for anything.
I was back. And I was more than I had ever been.
Aka Zema's New Status
After the incredible absorption of the Primordial Black Dragon God Remains, Aka Zema's very being has been fundamentally transformed. His Status screen now reflects the immense power he has gained:
Status:
* Name: Aka Zema
* Race: Primordial Dragon
* Class: Unknown
* Age: 19
* Strength: 15,040
* Speed: 15,040
* Mind: 15,042
* Stamina: 15,041
* Luck: 15,042
* Mana: 900,040
Ultimate Skills:
* Fusion: The ability to combine two or more things like skills, materials, energies, abilities, or even living beings into a single, stronger or more developed form.
* Absorption: The power to take in outside energies, abilities, qualities, or materials and make them your own. This often helps you get stronger or increases your energy supply.
* Adaptability: The ability to change, grow, or mutate when facing new dangers, places, or situations, either for a short time or forever.
New Acquired Passive Skills:
* Primordial Dragon Bloodline: Grants innate draconic power and resistance.
* Primordial Dragon Scales: Grants immense physical defense and magic resistance.
* Ancient Mana Regeneration: Dramatically increases natural mana recovery speed.
* Max Affinity for all Elemental and Dark Magic: Allows complete mastery over these magic types.
* Immune to the Red Air: Provides full protection from the corrosive atmosphere of the Forbidden Red Sky Tomb.
New Acquired Active Skills:
* Dragon's Roar: Unleashes a devastating sonic blast, capable of instilling fear and causing widespread destruction.
* Chaos Breath: Unleashes a torrent of raw, unformed chaotic energy, capable of corrupting and destroying matter.
New Acquired Knowledge:
* Comprehend Ancient Language: Understands and can interpret all ancient tongues.
* Dragon Tongue: Can speak and understand the language of dragons.
Aka Zema is no longer just a consciousness with basic stats; he is now a true Primordial Dragon in human form, wielding immense power, vast mana reserves, and a suite of terrifying new abilities.